Peanut butter: crunchy, creamy, scrumptious and yet extremely healthy, what more could we ask for? Let’s reaffirm our faith in peanut butter by knowing its benefits and some ways that you can include it in your everyday diet.
Health benefits of peanut butter
Nutritionist Avni Kaul tells us some health benefits one can enjoy by having peanut butter everyday:
1. Weight loss
Peanut butter has around 180-210 calories per serving, and so, calling it a “diet food” might seem counter-intuitive. But truth be told, consuming peanut butter actually suppresses hunger which later leads to weight loss. It has a good combination of fiber (2.6 g/serving) and protein (7-8 g/serving) that keeps one feeling full for longer, so one ends up eating less overall.
2. Good for heart
“It contains a substance known as p-coumaric acid which assists in offsetting the damage done to cells linked with cardiovascular diseases,” says Kaul. Also, peanut butter has more unsaturated fat than saturated fat making it a fat friendly food which reduces the risk of cardiovascular and coronary heart disease.
3. Promotes strong bones
Calcium and iron are found in abundance in peanut butter which are vital for transporting oxygen in the blood and promoting healthy, strong bones.
How to eat peanut butter and include it in your everyday diet:
1. Peanut butter smoothie
There can be nothing more energizing than peanut butter combined with milk. Having a peanut butter smoothie in your breakfast will boost your spirits for the whole day. Or you can also have it as a pre-workout smoothie which will energize you enough to get you through your workout routine!